Success In Trucking Podcast Powered By ES

Expediter Services
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Entrepreneurship

Powered By ES, a leader in ownership opportunities and capacity solutions within the trucking industry, the Success In Trucking Podcast offers helpful insights and valuable perspectives for owner-operators, independent contractors and fleet owners.

  1. Jun 9

    How Two Drivers Built a Successful Trucking Business with Path to Ownership

    For Expediter Services community members Maxwell Belin and Jalyssa Campbell, trucking isn’t just a career, it’s family. Growing up around drivers, both Maxwell and Jalyssa saw firsthand how the industry could provide stability and opportunity. Following in the footsteps of family members they both spent time behind the wheel of buses, but eventually found themselves wanting more control over their time, income, and future. Trucking offered that next step, one they decided to take together. From Family Roots to the Trucking Industry As a brother-sister team with Forward Air, they’ve built a rhythm that goes beyond simply sharing miles. Alternating driving shifts, they keep each other moving forward, literally and figuratively. While their time together in the cab may be brief between handoffs, their bond shows up in the trust, humor, and support they bring to the road every day. Why They Left a Traditional Lease Purchase Program That support became even more important after a tough experience in a traditional lease-purchase program early in their journey. Facing inconsistent income and financial strain, they made the decision to step away, but not alone. Through a connection on the road, they discovered ES and its Path to Ownership (PTO) program, giving them a second chance to pursue their goals the right way. By taking advantage of ES’s “try it before you buy it” approach, Maxwell and Jalyssa rebuilt their confidence and their business. Today, they enjoy consistent earnings, operational support during challenges, and the flexibility to prioritize family when it matters most. What “Never Stand Alone” Looks Like on the Road Their story is a powerful reminder of what it means to Never Stand Alone. Whether it’s family in the passenger seat or a community backing you every mile, success in trucking is stronger when it’s shared. Ready to start your own journey? Learn how the ES Path to Ownership program can help you start and grow your trucking business with real support every mile. And to hear Maxwell and Jalyssa tell their story in their own words, tune in to the full episode of the Success In Trucking Podcast.

    25 min

  2. May 12

    From Driver to Owner: How to Plan Your Next Move

    Making the leap from company driver to owner-operator or fleet owner is one of the most exciting, and demanding, moves in a trucking career. In the latest episode of the Success in Trucking Podcast, Expediter Services sat down with Leah Shaver, President and CEO of the National Transportation Institute (NTI), to talk candidly about what drivers should expect when they decide to take control of their future. Shaver emphasizes that too many drivers focus on the view from the top without mapping the route to get there. “It’s like climbing Mt. Everest,” she stresses. “But in this case, you are the sherpa, the climb is long, and the hill is steep.” Company drivers often have built-in safety nets if something goes wrong. As an owner operator, those protections disappear, which makes planning, not just ambition, essential to making the climb sustainable. The Financial and Professional Reality of Ownership One of the first waypoints is understanding the financial shift ahead. Moving from a steady paycheck to pay-for-work-performed changes how you think about cash flow, especially when taxes, insurance, and equipment costs enter the picture. Benefits that once came standard, like health insurance or time off, become part of the planning you need to do before you ever start the ascent. Another critical checkpoint is your professional history. “Fleets don’t just evaluate the truck; they evaluate the driver behind the wheel,” she highlighted during the conversation. Safety records, qualifications, and work history all travel with you, and in today’s risk-conscious environment, they carry significant weight. A strong safety record helps clear the path forward, while gaps or red flags can make the climb steeper than expected. Charting Your Course to Ownership Owning the wheel is possible, but success starts with knowing the climb ahead and surrounding yourself with the right support system. Expediter Services members have access to tools designed to reduce risk and build confidence, like try-before-you-buy programs, fully vetted partner motor carriers, and financing options that focus on attitude, aptitude, work history, and work ethic, not just credit score. Tune in to this episode of the Success in Trucking Podcast at the top of this article to hear the full discussion, and explore the rest of the “Are You Ready to Own the Wheel?” series for real-world guidance from industry leaders who understand what it takes to make the journey from driver to owner. To learn more about owner-operator programs and ownership options, call (877) 349-9303 to speak with our team.

    27 min

  3. Apr 29

    Fleet Owners Offer Advice, Discuss Support They Found Within The ES Community

    What does it take to become a successful fleet owner in today’s trucking industry? We asked Andy and Linda Dixon to answer that question in this edition of the podcast. Andy and Linda have been part of the ES Community for several years and they have built their small company into a small fleet of nine trucks. Through this episode, Andy and Linda provide a wealth of sound advice for anyone considering getting started as owner-operators and owning your own fleet. This discussion is highlighted with Andy and Linda sharing their thoughts on how the support they have received from being a part of the ES Community has helped them to grow their business. Whether you’re an aspiring owner-operator or an experienced fleet owner, the insights shared in this episode can help as you look at future possibilities within the industry.

    25 min

  4. Apr 14

    How to Build a Trucking Fleet: Andy and Linda Dixon’s Ownership Journey

    Fleet ownership rarely follows a straight line. In a recent interview, we sat down with Andy and Linda Dixon of A&L Trucking LLC to talk about their winding journey into trucking and how persistence, planning, and partnership helped them build a nine-truck fleet. Andy’s introduction to trucking was anything but traditional. He started his career as a plumber before taking a job delivering auto parts in a van. Looking for ways to increase revenue, he moved into a box truck, learning the business side of trucking as he went.  He entered Expediter Services’ Path to Ownership program with his brother, and while the business showed early success, circumstances changed when his brother became sick. Andy found himself running the operation largely on his own. At the time, Linda was still working as a teacher, supporting Andy while balancing her own career. When Linda retired, the Dixons made a deliberate decision to approach trucking differently. Instead of reacting to opportunities, they created a plan. Partnering with Expediter Services, Andy and Linda set a clear goal: grow to five trucks in five years. Today, A&L Trucking oversees a fleet of nine trucks, a reflection of steady, intentional growth. Using the Right Resources to Grow a Trucking Business For the Dixons, working with ES was about more than just financing. “The level of service is way beyond what any carrier provides for their community members,” Andy emphasized. From day one, they felt supported by ES’s Never Stand Alone philosophy, a commitment they say played a key role in their success and a promise that they’ve extended to their own drivers. Their advice to drivers considering ownership is straightforward and grounded in experience. You don’t need unlimited startup capital, but you do need a solid plan and the humility to take advice. Mistakes will happen, and when they do, don’t be afraid to pivot. Andy and Linda Dixon’s story is proof that there’s more than one on-ramp into fleet ownership. What matters most is learning from the past, planning for the future, and surrounding yourself with partners who want to see you succeed. Want to hear the full conversation? Tune in to Andy and Linda Dixon’s interview as part of the Success in Trucking Podcast, series to hear more about their journey and lessons learned along the way. Building a successful trucking fleet doesn’t happen by accident, it starts with the right strategy and the right support. If you’re considering fleet ownership or thinking about your next step, the Expediter Services team is here to help you explore your options. Reach out to ES today at (877) 349-9303 to start a conversation about what your path to ownership could look like.

    27 min

  5. Mar 2

    From Driver to Owner: Ready to Get Your Finances in Gear? The Trucker CFO Can Help!

    Building a Strong Financial Foundation for Owner-Operator Success In our next installment of the Are You Ready To Own the Wheel? series, we’re talking about a topic that can make or break your success as an owner-operator—your finances. To round out the series, Colton Lawrence, The Trucker CFO, joined the Success In Trucking Podcast to dig into what it really takes to build a strong financial foundation for your business. Shift Your Mindset: From Driver to Business Owner For Colton, the first step is the most important, you first have to shift your mindset. “It’s more than just driving,” he says. “You’re running a business now.” That shift changes how you think about everything from planning and budgeting to how you handle the unexpected. Because in trucking, the unexpected is guaranteed. Rates change, repairs happen, and no two weeks look exactly the same. That’s why having a plan, and sticking to it, is so important. Create a Business Plan That Drives You Forward Once you’re thinking like an owner operator, it’s time to time to think through and formulate your business plan. What do you want to accomplish in your first year? Where do you want to be in five? What type of equipment am I going to run? Where will I find loads? Having those answers upfront gives you direction when things get tough. From there, it’s about structure and preparation. This includes choosing the right business entity, setting money aside for maintenance, and planning for quarterly taxes. It might not sound exciting, but that kind of preparation helps you stay steady when the road gets bumpy. “Too many drivers treat it like a job,” Colton says. “The successful ones plan, adapt, and learn.” Think Long-Term: Trucking Is a Marathon, Not a Sprint Rather than treating it like a sprint, consider your business journey a marathon. Yes there should be milestones, and you should celebrate small victories, but like everything in trucking there will be ebbs and flows. Starting your own trucking business is a big step, but with the right plan, the right mindset, and the right support system, the sky is the limit. If you feel that you are ready to forge ahead, connect with the ES team at (877) 349-9303 to learn about the programs and opportunities available to our community members. Catch the full conversation with Colton Lawrence, The Trucker CFO, on the latest episode of the Success In Trucking Podcast, including Colton’s do’s and don’ts for first time owner operators.

    27 min

  6. Feb 16

    From Driver to Owner: Making Smart Equipment Decisions in Today’s Trucking Market

    Why the Equipment You Choose Matters If you’re thinking about taking the next step toward ownership, one of the biggest choices you’ll make is the equipment you run. As Danny Vernon, Director of Truck Sales at Expediter Services (ES), shared in the latest Success in Trucking Podcast episode, that decision can shape your business long before you even turn the key. “The truck you choose, and how you choose to finance it, can make or break your success as an owner-operator,” Danny explained. “Get it right, and you’re setting yourself up for stability. Get it wrong, and the costs can start eating at your profits before you ever hit the road.” The Financial Realities of Truck Ownership In today’s market, that’s especially true. Open-market financing for equipment is tougher than ever, with higher barriers to entry such as strict credit requirements and 20–25% down payments. Danny points out that for many, it’s not as simple as walking into a dealership and driving off the lot. “If you don’t have an established relationship, those doors can be hard to open,” he said. That’s where ES comes in. How Expediter Services Opens the Door to Ownership Through ES Truck Sales and our many programs, including our Path to Ownership (PTO) program, non-traditional lease purchase program, and traditional financing, we’ve built the relationships that give operators access to equipment and financing opportunities that might otherwise be a long stretch or completely out of reach. Our approach is built on relationship lending. ES takes the time to understand your business goals, your experience, and where you want to go. It’s about finding a path that works for you and then traveling with you; not just checking a box on a credit form. For more insight on how market conditions impact owner-operators, check out our post on Navigating the Current Freight Market: Tips for Owner-Operators and Small Fleet Owners. This episode also features a helpful FAQ discussion that answers some of the most common questions aspiring owners have about purchasing and financing equipment. If you’re ready to explore ownership, don’t go it alone. Connect with our team at (877) 349-9303 to learn more about our many programs designed to help drivers like you take the next step with confidence and support every mile of the way.

    37 min

  7. Jan 28

    Making 2026 A Year of Opportunity Within Today’s Trucking Landscape

    For our first episode of 2026, we spent some time talking about new starts in a new year as well as what’s happening within today’s trucking landscape. Our guest is David Withers, the Senior Director of Operations and Recruiting at ES. As you will hear, we focused our conversation with David by discussing opportunities for change where you have a strong sense of control, and making sure that you are well positioned for your best success in trucking.

    27 min

  8. 12/15/2025

    Own the Wheel: What Are The Initial Considerations To Make The Transition To Truck Ownership?

    With this episode of the podcast, we are beginning a special series designed to help anyone thinking about moving into truck ownership or expanding your current fleet. We will be bringing you expert perspectives from both the team at ES and vendors who are a part of the ES Community who will be helping us to explore the wide range of considerations that are a part of making the transition into truck ownership and starting your trucking business. For Part 1, ES Senior Director of Operations and Recruiting David Withers joins us to discuss what you need to consider when first thinking about making the transition to become an owner-operator.

    34 min
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Powered By ES, a leader in ownership opportunities and capacity solutions within the trucking industry, the Success In Trucking Podcast offers helpful insights and valuable perspectives for owner-operators, independent contractors and fleet owners.

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